Awards will be given to faculty and staff members who have consistently promoted multiculturalism and demonstrated concern for and sensitivity to the needs of multicultural students. This sensitivity may be manifested by significantly including multiculturalism in the classroom, making substantial efforts to meet the needs of individuals of diverse backgrounds and/or being involved in other endeavors that have significantly contributed to the diversity mission of Penn State.

There is also an award for Commonwealth Campuses called the John Romano Faculty/Staff Diversity Recognition Award presented to faculty or staff at one of the campuses that promote multicultural/diversity.